Babeu: Still ‘no answer’ from feds on released immigrants

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said Saturday the federal government still has not responded to his requests for information about detainees recently released from local detention facilities run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The sheriff has been seeking information on the released detainees – immigrants who entered the country illegally – since he was informed in February many released into Pinal County had criminal records in the U.S.

“I’ve asked this of the federal government,” Babeu said. “Still to this day, I have no answer.”

His statements came during a public forum in Maricopa where elected officials, including Rep. Adam Kwasman, R-Tucson, and state Sens. Al Melvin, R-Tucson, and Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, were present to discuss local and state issues and take questions from the public.

The release of immigrants being held for possible deportation began in February as way for ICE to save costs, according to a statement from the federal agency. These detainees were placed under supervision and still have to appear in court for possible deportation.

Several thousand detainees have been released by ICE across the country. Babeu said he’s been told – but has not confirmed –more than 300 were released from detention facilities in Pinal County.

Whistle-blowers within ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol informed the sheriff many detainees had past convictions that included child molestation, assault of police officers, DUI offenses and narcotics trafficking. Two released also had past charges of manslaughter, Babeu said.

The sheriff said he’s requested the names of the individuals, their criminal records and their locations. So far, ICE has not given the sheriff’s department the information.